Method and apparatus for protecting an infant positioner

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner includes an infant positioner protector. The infant positioner protector includes an opening that receives the infant positioner therethrough and a pocket adapted to receive an infant positioner therein. The opening seals to maintain the infant positioner within the infant positioner protector. The infant positioner protector may be liquid repellent or treated to repel liquids. A liquid repellent liner may be inserted into the pocket of the infant positioner protector. The infant positioner protector with the infant positioner therein may be placed on any planar surface. Alternatively, the infant positioner protector may be attached to a mattress cover fitted over a mattress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to infant positioners and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a method and apparatus for protecting an infant positioner.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Pediatricians consider the safest sleeping position for an infant to be on his or her side. This locates the infant in a position where it is easiest for the infant to breathe and thus prevents sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Consequently, pediatricians recommend the use of an infant positioner that maintains an infant on his or her side during sleep. An infant positioner consists of two foam wedges covered with a material and spaced in opposing relationship with a piece of material therebetween. An infant is laid on the material on his or her side between the two foam wedges, which maintain the infant on his or her side during sleep.

[0005] Unfortunately, an infant positioner will become soiled through use, which necessitates the washing of the infant positioner. Once washed the two foam wedges of the infant positioner retain water and never fully dry. This is unacceptable because it creates a situation where the two foam wedges become harder and may even grow mold, which could be potentially harmful to the infant. Accordingly, there is a long felt need for infant bedding that prevents the necessity of washing an infant positioner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner includes an infant positioner protector that defines a pocket adapted to receive an infant positioner therein. The infant positioner protector with the infant positioner therein is adapted to reside on a planar surface. The infant positioner protector includes an opening that receives the infant positioner therethrough. The opening seals to maintain the infant positioner within the infant positioner protector. The infant positioner protector may be liquid repellent or treated to repel liquids.

[0007] The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner further includes a liquid repellent liner insertable into the pocket of the infant positioner protector. The liquid repellent liner defines a pocket adapted to receive the infant positioner therein. The liquid repellent liner includes an opening that receives the infant positioner therethrough. The opening seals to maintain the infant positioner within the liquid repellent liner.

[0008] The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner still further includes a mattress cover adapted to fit over a mattress. The infant positioner protector is adapted to attach to the mattress cover. The mattress cover defines a pocket that permits the insertion of the mattress therein. The mattress cover includes an opening that receives the mattress therethrough. The opening seals to maintain the mattress within the mattress cover. The mattress cover further includes a pocket secured to the exterior of thereto.

[0009] A method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner includes providing an infant positioner protector and inserting an infant positioner into the infant positioner protector. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner further includes placing the infant positioner protector with the infant positioner on a planar surface. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner still further includes providing a mattress cover, fitting the mattress cover over a mattress, and attaching the infant positioner protector to the mattress cover. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner may also include providing a liquid repellent liner, inserting the liquid repellent liner into the infant positioner protector, and inserting the infant positioner into the liquid repellent liner.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an infant positioner protector that prevents the soiling of an infant positioner inserted therein.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide an infant positioner protector that protects an infant positioner to prevent the necessity of washing the infant positioner.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an infant positioner protector adapted to attach to the mattress cover fitted over a mattress.

[0013] Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a mattress cover including an infant positioner protector.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an infant positioner protector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a mattress cover 10 includes an opening 11 and defines a pocket 12 that permits the insertion of a mattress 13 into the mattress cover 10. The mattress 13 in this preferred embodiment is a mattress for a baby crib. After the insertion of the mattress 13 into the pocket 12 of the mattress cover 10, the opening 11 of the mattress cover 10 is sealed to maintain the mattress 13 secured within the mattress cover 10. The opening 11 of the mattress cover 10 is sealed using any suitable means, such as Velcro™ 14, snaps, or the like. The mattress cover 10 may also include a pocket 15 secured to the exterior thereto using any suitable means, such as sewing, to provide a compartment for holding objects, such as extra baby diapers.

[0017] In this preferred embodiment, the mattress cover 10 is constructed from any suitable cotton, synthetic fiber, or cotton/synthetic fiber blend material. The material may consist of one continuous sheet sealed at one side and the end opposite to the opening 11 or two sheets sealed at each side and the end opposite to the opening 11. The material is sealed using any suitable means, such as sewing. Although this preferred embodiment discloses the mattress cover 10 as defining the pocket 12, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the mattress cover 10 may be form fitted to the mattress 13. In that instance, the mattress cover 10 would slip over one side of the mattress 13 and be held in place over the mattress 13 using any suitable means, such as elastic bands attached to the mattress cover 10.

[0018] An infant positioner protector 16 includes an opening 17 and defines a pocket 18 that permits the insertion of an infant positioner 19 into the infant positioner protector 16. The infant positioner 19 is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art and in this preferred embodiment includes two foam wedges covered with a material and spaced in opposing relationship with a piece of material therebetween. After the insertion of the infant positioner 19 into the pocket 18 of the infant positioner protector 16, the opening 17 of the infant positioner protector 16 is sealed to maintain the infant positioner 19 secured within the infant positioner protector 16. The opening 17 of the infant positioner protector 16 is sealed using any suitable means, such as Velcro™ 20, snaps, or the like. Once the infant positioner 19 is secured within the infant positioner protector 16, the infant positioner protector 16 attaches to the mattress cover 10 using any suitable means, such as Velcro™ 21, snaps, or the like. Alternatively, the infant positioner protector 16 may be attached to the mattress cover 10 prior to the securing of the infant positioner 19 within the infant positioner protector 16.

[0019] In this preferred embodiment, the infant positioner protector 16 is constructed from any suitable cotton, synthetic fiber, cotton/synthetic fiber blend, or plastic based material. The material may consist of one continuous sheet sealed at one side and the end opposite to the opening 17 or two sheets sealed at each side and the end opposite to the opening 17. The material is sealed using any suitable means, such as sewing or an adhesive. The material utilized in constructing the infant positioner protector 16 may be liquid repellent or treated to be liquid repellent.

[0020] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a liquid repellent liner 22 may be inserted into the pocket 18 of the infant positioner protector 16 via the opening 17. The liquid repellent liner 22 includes an opening 23 and defines a pocket 24 that permits the insertion of the infant positioner 19 into the liquid repellent liner 22. After the insertion of the infant positioner 19 into the pocket 24 of liquid repellent liner 22, the opening 23 of the liquid repellent liner 22 is sealed to maintain the infant positioner 19 secured within the liquid repellent liner 22. The opening 23 of the liquid repellent liner 22 is sealed using any suitable means, such as Velcro™ 25, snaps, or the like. Once the infant positioner 19 is secured within the liquid repellent liner 22, the infant positioner protector 16 attaches to the mattress cover 10 as previously described.

[0021] In this preferred embodiment, the liquid repellent liner 22 is constructed from any suitable plastic based material. The material may consist of one continuous sheet sealed at one side and the end opposite to the opening 23 or two sheets sealed at each side and the end opposite to the opening 23. The material is sealed using any suitable means, such as sewing, an adhesive, or heat weld. The liquid repellent liner 22 may be permanently secured within the pocket 18 of the infant positioner protector 16 using any suitable means, such as sewing or an adhesive. Alternatively, the liquid repellent liner 22 may be removably secured within the pocket 18 of the infant positioner protector 16 using any suitable means, such as Velcro™ 20 and 26, snaps, or the like.

[0022] In use, the mattress 13 is sealed within the mattress cover 10. The infant positioner 19 is then secured within the infant positioner protector 16, and the infant positioner protector 16 is attached to the mattress cover 10. Alternatively, the infant positioner protector 16 may be attached to the mattress cover 10 followed by the securing of the infant positioner 19 within the infant positioner protector 16. The infant positioner 19 is thus ready for use; however, the infant positioner protector 16 protects the infant positioner 19 from soiling by an infant. Consequently, the infant positioner 19 remains clean during use by an infant, and a soiled infant positioner protector 16 is easily cleaned.

[0023] While the infant positioner protector 16 has been described as used in combination with the mattress cover 10, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the infant positioner protector 16 may be used separately. Particularly, an infant positioner protector 16 with an infant positioner 19 disposed therein may be place on any suitable surface that will safely hold an infant.

[0024] Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing detailed description; rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow. 

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner, comprising an infant positioner protector defining a pocket adapted to receive an infant positioner therein.
 2. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 1 wherein the infant positioner protector includes an opening that receives the infant positioner therethrough.
 3. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 2 wherein the opening seals to maintain the infant positioner within the infant positioner protector.
 4. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 1 wherein the infant positioner protector is liquid repellent.
 5. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 1 wherein the infant positioner protector is treated to repel liquids.
 6. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid repellent liner insertable into the pocket of the infant positioner protector.
 7. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 6 wherein the liquid repellent liner defines a pocket adapted to receive the infant positioner therein.
 8. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 6 wherein the liquid repellent liner includes an opening that receives the infant positioner therethrough.
 9. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 8 wherein the opening seals to maintain the infant positioner within the liquid repellent liner.
 10. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 1 wherein the infant positioner protector with the infant positioner therein is adapted to reside on a planar surface.
 11. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 1, further comprising a mattress cover adapted to fit over a mattress.
 12. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 11 wherein the mattress cover defines a pocket that permits the insertion of the mattress therein.
 13. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 11 wherein the mattress cover includes an opening that receives the mattress therethrough.
 14. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 13 wherein the opening seals to maintain the mattress within the mattress cover.
 15. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 11 wherein the mattress cover includes a pocket secured to the exterior of the mattress cover.
 16. The apparatus for preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 11 wherein the infant positioner protector is adapted to attach to the mattress cover.
 17. A method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner, comprising: providing an infant positioner protector; and inserting an infant positioner into the infant positioner protector.
 18. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 17, further comprising placing the infant positioner protector with the infant positioner on a planar surface.
 19. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 17 wherein the infant positioner protector is liquid repellent.
 20. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 17 wherein the infant positioner protector is treated to repel liquids.
 21. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 17, further comprising: providing a liquid repellent liner; inserting the liquid repellent liner into the infant positioner protector; and inserting the infant positioner into the liquid repellent liner.
 22. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 17, further comprising: providing a mattress cover; and fitting the mattress cover over a mattress.
 23. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 22, further comprising providing a pocket secured to the exterior of the mattress cover.
 24. The method of preventing soiling of an infant positioner according to claim 22, further comprising attaching the infant positioner protector to the mattress cover. 